Awakening

You still think I own anything? Ok, then you are more insane then Insania and I feel bad for you.

Because I own nothing.

Rogers just stood there for a moment, looking flustered and confused before he shook his head and stood up straighter.

"I told you I can converse civilly." Dad said smugly and Rogers just stared at Dad in disbelief, once again going into shock.

I rolled my eyes, sure the guy had to process everything but still, he should be able to keep his wits about him.

Dad and Thor shared a look and while Dad had a large grin on his face Thor was just looked at the man like he was a strange new plant he had never seen before.

I chuckled at that expression as well.

"What is your business here?" Thor finally asked, deciding that letting the man just stand there in shock wasn't a good idea.

Thankfully, this seemed to be the best course of action since it snapped Rogers out of it and he quickly responded, "Oh, I'm Captain Steve Rogers."

"I am Thor." The Asgardian stated with a nod.

Dad's eyes widened as he realized that he hadn't introduced himself yet and he gave Thor a grin as he said,

"Seems that introductions were forgotten, Tony Stark, though I am also known as Iron Man." I chuckled at Dad as he stepped forward for a handshake.

Thor instead gripped Dad's forearm and gave him a large grin.

"Well met Man of Iron."

I burst out laughing at that, oh I bet that would never get old!

Tony returned the nod with a grin of his own; and I had a feeling that they would be getting along very well.

"Now that that's out of the way," Rogers said breaking up the grin fest that the two had going on. He turned towards Thor and said, "I don't know what your intentions here are…"

Whatever Rogers had been trying to say, I would never find out because Thor interrupted him.

"I am here to put an end to Loki's scheme." The Asgardian said simply, eyeing the patriotic man. Personally, I think that between the three of them the Captain was dressed the strangest.

I also think that Thor noticed this as well.

"Good, then." The Captain stated before he froze. He tilted his head to the side like he was listening to someone and I had a feeling that it was either Fury or Romanoff on the other end of the com.

Tony and Thor shared a look as a gut feeling told me that Rogers/SHIELD were going to be idiots again as Rogers became nervous. He was quick to mask his feelings however and said whatever he had been ordered to.

"My superiors would like a sign that you are on our side, so if you would please put the hammer down…"

I smacked my forehead and groaned, SHIELD was filled with a bunch of morons!

Thor's face contorted with rage and I took a step forward as Dad took a step back.

"Um, Cap, I really don't think that that was a good idea. He seems pretty fond of that hammer…" Dad said trying to defuse the situation, however he was ignored.

"You want me to put the hammer down?!" Thor raged and sparks started to dance around him. In a flash he charged forward and pushed my father aside in his attempt to get to Rogers. Dad was sent skidding back, and face planted a tree. I winced that must have hurt.

"Oi!" I yelled walking forward as Thor lifted his hammer and Rogers raised his shield.

"Stop it!" I screamed just as the two started to move. My irritation at SHIELD flooded me and grasping what power I had I threw up the most powerful shield I could between the two enraged men.

My exclamation was ignored and I almost screamed with pain as Mjolnir crashed into my shield with an explosion of electricity. My eyes were forced closed and I fell to my knees against the strain. My shield twisted and writhed under the power of the hammer. Bolts of electricity flew from where the two forces connected, and although I couldn't see it, I could feel the electricity filling the air.

With a gasp and a surge from my very Soul, I managed to open my eyes just in time to witness two large, almost blue bolts of lightning, called forth by mine and Thor's powers, surge downward from two different clouds and strike the exact spot my shield and Mjolnir were fighting for dominance. The world seemed to quite for half a moment before sound returned in the form of a giant explosion that sent everyone in the clearing flying back.

My surroundings became naught but dark green blurs as I flew through the air. The electricity in the air caused my own Core to burn and my skin to sting. I gasped in pain as I scratched with a sickening crack into a large pine. The tree split beneath me and I fell to the ground in a heap.

My eyes were closed and my breathing labored, I didn't even have enough strength to get to my feet, much less use my powers. My whole body left like I had hit a slab of metal after a six hundred foot high drop.

A coppery taste met my tongue and for a moment I panicked, before realizing that I had only bit my lip.

I heard other painful moans and I thought that my com released some static, and I realized that I probably wasn't the only one hurt.

Wincing, I slowly managed to force my eyes open and once the world stopped spinning I managed to see the Captain and Thor climbing back to their feet, Dad nowhere in sight.

"Daddy!" I managed to gasp lightly but a burning pain coursing through my limbs stopped me from moving.

I couldn 't hear what Thor and Rogers were saying, but Rogers seemed angry, and that was making Thor even more furious. The both shifted and I could tell that another fight was about to break out.

My Duties twitched, and my worry for Tony sent a wave of adrenaline into my veins. Grunting in pain and scrunching up my eyes I managed to put one arm underneath me and push myself up. However, before I could do anything else my arm collapsed underneath me and I fell back down onto the ground.

My Duties sent a jolt through me but it wasn't enough to make me move. I wasn't at full power, I wasn't unstoppable. I was still just a Mortal…

"You're much more than a Mortal, love."

I gasped at the sound of Mortem's voice and my blurry vision was able to focus enough for his shadowy form to enter my vision. He was kneeling besides me, a concerned look in his silvery eyes.

"It's not good for you to try to use so much power in such little time in your current state, love, you'll get hurt." Mortem scolded me as he placed a glowing hand on my forehead.

I chuckled weakly and relaxed into his cool grip. I felt his chilling power beginning to course through my veins. "I think I figured that out." I gasped and my eyes fluttered close for a moment as I enjoyed his cool touch.

The protests of my Duties however, ruined the moment. I opened my eyes and sighed.

"Thank you." I whispered as my head stopped spinning and I slowly felt my energy restoring. With a wince and a frown from Mortem I managed sit up. I glanced over Mortem's shoulder to see Thor and Rogers now yelling at each other. My Duties cried out and I cringed.

"Damn, that hurts." I muttered as Mortem wrapped his arms around me and helped me to my feet. Mortem supported the majority of my weight and I glared at the two blonde men who were irritating me.

"Separate them for me, would you?" I asked my Bonded weakly as I took a deep breathe. This was going to be a complete hoax, but I didn't need anyone knowing that I was basically out of commission.

"They are irritating." Mortem stated as he raised his hand, with a simple swiping gesture the two men were flung away from each other with a bright flash of white power. I smiled, I could work with that.

"Now that!" I hissed coldly, letting my anger fuel my words, "Is enough! Thor, Rogers, you are on the same side, so stop acting like squabbling children and BEHAVE!"

My words seemed to finally pierce their thick skulls as I heard three groans. My eyes widened and I looked over to see Tony slowly getting to his feet.

"Remind me never to get on Point Break's bad side." Dad muttered rolling his left wrist that he had landed on. I smiled and Mortem chuckled as Dad then turned his attention to the blondes and quipped, "Are you two going to play nice or are time-out corners in order?"

Thor was the next to return to his feet, and he looked around at the trees sheepishly, looking truly abashed. Rogers was still swaying when he finally stood, but he simply looked confused.

"Forgive me, M'Lady, I let my temper get the best of me. M'Lady is correct, we share the same cause. We should stand together, not bicker amongst ourselves." Thor stated with a bow which was actually in my direction. Mortem and I shared a look as I wondered if he could sense me, or Mortem, just slightly.

"Ok," Rogers said as he managed to steady himself. "Just who are you? I know that you're aren't on Loki's because you kept the civilians safe, and stood up to him, but whose side are you on?

I sighed and shook my head, it wasn't as simple as Rogers or Fury believed.

"I am a friend, Captain Rogers, no one else. I have helped Stark before as well as Thor, and I believe that both Fury and Romanoff are aware of me. If you have questions about my identity, bring it up with them." I stated coldly, tired of playing this game.

"I shall." Rogers said this calmly, but I could feel the hidden fury beneath the words.

"Well," I said into my com with a sigh. "Looks like we're bringing Electra back."

"Indeed." Dad replied, before speaking to everyone. "Oh, and whoever gave Rogers that bright idea, we'll be having a long talk about how you deal with non-hostile situations."

Dad's voice was hard and cold and I saw Thor look at him in admiration.

Mortem and I chuckled, I could practically see Fury shuttering right now. But he deserved it.

You don't piss off Starks, or their friends.

A few minutes later Mortem had to go, Duties and such, which I totally understood. Thankfully, I had enough energy to remain standing and invisible, but not enough to do anything else.

So basically I was useless for a few more hours until my energy returned.

I just hoped that Loki wouldn't try anything until after I was back to normal.

It hadn't taken long to have Romanoff land and to load up the two Asgardians, one in restraints and the other with careful words.

Apparently no one wanted to piss off the Asgardian again. Romanoff and Rogers had been surprised to discover that Loki hadn't bolted when Thor and the rest of us had been distracted. Of course, they didn't know that I had raised a shield. Not that he had tried to break though, which also reassured my previous assessment of the situation.

Loki wanted to be brought in; for whatever reason.

I had almost started laughing my ass of when Thor started questioning Loki on his lack of escape. I let the hilarious interrogation continue for a few minutes before I managed to maneuver next to the Thunder God's ear and whispered to him that I had constructed a shield around Loki.

Thor had almost jumped at the sound of my voice, but accepted my words as truth. He had ceased the questioning and simply sat down and started talking with my father. This had made everyone but Dad and Loki look at him strangely, but they didn't question him.

Once we got back into the jet, it took us an hour to get back to the Helicarrier. That was twice the time it had taken Romanoff to get to Germany from the Helicarrier, but since I knew that the flying aircraft carrier didn't stay in one place long, it was sorta understandable.

But also boring.

And Starks don't do boring well.

Dad and I had passed the time by annoying Rogers. Ok, Dad annoyed Rogers by subtly messing with him and I laughed mentally at each one. Some of the quips Rogers had caught, while other just flew over his head.

I had decided that Dad not knowing about how much today's activities had drained me would be the best course of action. Especially since he was already worrying about me way too much. I just hoped that our pesky AI wouldn't find out and rat me out.

Jarvis had a tendency to do that .

I took off as soon as we landed, checking on the small computer terminal that I had hacked into earlier. I hadn't exactly wiped my presence when I left, and it would be bad if someone had discovered it.

Thankfully, it all looked undisturbed and after making sure nothing had changed in the time I had been gone I erased all of the recent activity and left.

One thing that I had found on the terminal before erasing it was slightly concerning. It was something codenamed Phase 2, and since my worm had pulled it up as connected to the Tesseract; I didn't have a good feeling about it. I had a feeling I knew what the project was, but that wasn't my concern right now. It was Loki, and what he was up to.

As well as keeping everyone safe.

With a yawn I started to make my way to the cafeteria, food was food, whether I snagged it from SHIELD or not didn't matter.

Bridge
Third POV

"Sir." Hill stated as she approached her boss.

Fury was getting very annoyed and his temper was starting to wear thin. Yes, they had caught Loki, but everything seemed off and not only did he also have to deal with another Asgardian, but the annoyance that was Stark was now on board.

Nothing was going according to plan.

"Please tell me you have good news." Fury practically begged as he led his second in command to the back of the Bridge.

Hill sighed, knowing that Fury wouldn't like what she had to say. "Afraid not, sir."

"Did you find any more of those surges?" Fury asked, lowering his voice and leaning towards Hill slightly.

She shook her head, "No sir, there have been none since that large one over two hours ago. However, we have some unpleasant news. A few moments ago someone detected an active terminal accessing Tesseract files, specifically Phase 2. The computer was one of ours, but it was unmanned and in a deserted part of the ship. We uncovered that the computer had been searching through our files for some times but we're not sure what was searched or for how long, as the person covered their tracks very well. So well in fact, that just moments ago the ghost of a trace that we had been tracking vanished.

"I don't' know who we are dealing with. But their an expert Sir." Hill finished her report and almost took a step back at the look on Fury's face.

"Find out who's digging around our systems!" Fury hissed in rage, thinking that this day was getting worse and worse.

Hill hesitated for just a moment before continuing. "Sir, we...I… already have an assumption regarding who it is."

"Who?" Fury demanded his eye narrowing slightly.

Fury as surprised to see Hill actually bite her lip before replying, "Considering the recent energy spikes and the events around Loki's capture that Rogers and Romanoff reported...sir, I believe that it is the woman known as Electra."

This definitely wasn't what Fury wanted to hear, as he slammed his fist down on the glass conference table in anger.

"Double, no, triple security! I don't want that woman sneaking around on board while Loki is here as well!" Fury practically yelled and Hill nodded as fast as she could.

"Of course, Sir!" She exclaimed before starting to shout orders into her com.

Today really wasn't SHIELD's day.

Penny's POV

I was munching on an apple, with a burger in my hand, when my com lit up.

"Pen, can you come down to the hangar bay? I need help with the suit." Dad asked and I sighed. All of that crashing into stuff must have damaged something, and since Jarvis didn't have any robotic arms to help him, that left me.

"Be right there." I stated as I turned on my heel, glad that I knew where the hanger was.

It took me only a few minutes to get there, and after physically pushing the door open I was soon grabbed by my father.

"What? Dad!" I exclaimed as he threw me over his shoulder and I faded into view from the shock.

"Dad! Cameras'!" I protested as panic flooded my veins. I didn't know what was going on, but SHIELD couldn't know about me. Not here, not now!

"Calm down." Dad rolled his eyes and plopped me down on a table. He was in a black Metallica shirt with a blue suit jacket thrown over in an attempt to look professional, so obviously he didn't need help with the armor. "I put the cameras in here in a loop so that we could talk."

My eyebrows furrowed but I nodded, "What's up daddy?"

My eyes widened as Tony's narrowed. His face darkened and I gulped, I was in trouble.

"Now, care to explain to me why Jarvis reported that your vitals suddenly took a steep decline, twice, in the past few hours!" Dad asked coldly his eyes like chips of ice.

I gulped again, I was screwed.

"Um…" I rubbed the back of my neck, a habit I had developed in my Second life and had never been able to break...I think…

"Answer now or you're grounded till you're thirty!" Dad suddenly yelled and I slid backwards on the table.

"It's no big deal! It's just that I used too much of my power! Not to mention having to use so much back to back! I haven't gotten complete control at teleporting others and Mjolnir is a God's weapon for a freaking reason. Blocking that? Not easy!" I froze as Dad's face darkened and his eyes flashed dangerously.

"Pen, your Core almost failed, twice, in the past few hours! I told you that I didn't want you getting involved because I don't want you getting hurt! That means that you can't just go around doing whatever you want! You're not indestructible, and you have your limits! I know that normally you can take care of yourself and that your powers have grown during the past few months, however, this doesn't mean that you can do everything! You have to be careful Penny! Because I don't want you getting hurt, and with Loki around I can't always be there to protect you! For Jarvis' sake, please keep your head about you! I can't lose you again Penny! I just can't!"

Dad was gasping by the end of the rant and I saw a haunted broken look in his eyes. I bit my lip as guilt flooded me. I knew that I hadn't exactly acted wisely, and that I had worried Daddy and Mortem...but I hadn't meant to bring up those memories for him.

I knew that the few hours that I had been, apparently, dead, had scarred Dad emotionally and mentally, and that they rivaled the ones of Afghanistan.

Biting my lip, I was suddenly wrapping my arms around Dad's neck and my legs around his waist. He tottered slightly under the sudden weight but he stood tall as he wrapped his shaking arms around me. I buried my face in Tony's shoulder as Tony's buried his head in my hair.

"I'm sorry Daddy." I whispered, trying to ignore the fact that Dad was shaking. "I'll be more careful, promise."

"I can't lose you too Pen," Dad's whisper came out choked and I squeezed him tighter, trying to tell him that I wasn't going anywhere.

"You're not going to Daddy." I told him and after a moment, he let me slide back down onto my feet.

I didn't comment on the fact that Dad's eyes were red, or that the bags under his eyes were slowly starting to turn purple. Now wasn't a time to deal with our monsters, now as the time to kick some ass and piss some people off, Stark Style.

Hey, sorry for the wait… my excuse?

It's Spring Break and I was hanging out with friends. I was having fun, sue me!

Ok, so hope you enjoyed it, this chapter was a lot different than the first time around, more Penny and Tony fluff and Mortem!

I don't know about you but I love it when Tony goes into father mode! He should have a warning label that says "Beware, I am a father, and a Stark. Don't piss me off!"

...ok, not my best work.

Thanks to everyone!

Cp